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Vx220 Alternatives?


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#21 LY_Scott

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 11:31 AM

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#22 davemate

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 11:50 AM

to be honest, you've asked yourself too many questions already.

VXs are cars bought with the heart not the head.

They are uncomfortable, noisy, delicate, stuplidly expensive to repair. The cabin is a great big compromise, the passenger seat is daft, you can never hear the radio, the heater doesn't work, the boot is tiny, they are impractical to work on. General consumables such as tyres are specific to the vx220, hard to get hold of and are dear as result. they have an undesirable vauxhall badge, they have no dealer interest and the few good specialists are located at the four corners of the country.

I can't think why anyone would 'think' they are a good buy.

Some of us though 'felt' they were though.


i guess so. i looked at the alternatives when i got a vx. knew i wanted a 2 seater as i can always have a 4 seater, whereas a 2 is more of a lifestyle choice.
i liked the service arrangements, the fact that parts are relatively cheap, there is a great forum and user base of experts, tyres are not that expensive, there are not many of them around, it didnt have a silly toyota engine in it, or a rover engine. i had a fair amount of things in mind, but the vx made the most logical sense in a bloke logic kind of way..

#23 Bumblebee

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 11:58 AM

Have you ever thought about a Clio v6? I no there not the fastest but they tick a few boxes Rare 2 seater Not a Toyota or rover engined car Mid engined,so a bit special Rear wheel drive

Edited by Aimy, 28 March 2012 - 12:00 PM.


#24 Pidgeon

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 11:59 AM

I don't really see what the layout has to do with it.


If that's the case, the VX isn't for you. The VX is my perfect car. I would not countenance anything other than RWD.

#25 Bumblebee

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 12:02 PM

A noble would be a good car to replace the Vx if the ££ was there

#26 techieboy

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 12:07 PM

to be honest, you've asked yourself too many questions already.

VXs are cars bought with the heart not the head.


BFOD. You either get it, or you don't. There's no half measures with the VX. Plenty of people have bought them on a whim and then had them up for sale again within a month when they realise it's not the easiest car in the world to live with, on a day to day basis.

Boxster (if you get a decent one), BMW Z car or 350Z are much better all rounders if you just want RWD and a soft top.

But, the VX will run rings around either of them in some circumstances and can and will reward you like nothing else (well maybe an Elise).

#27 davemate

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 12:08 PM

those clio have always really tempted me, they were really cheap at one point as well... -still rather have the vx though :)

#28 Mozen

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 12:20 PM

... Boxster (if you get a decent one), BMW Z car or 350Z are much better all rounders if you just want RWD and a soft top....


I tried both the Z3, Z4 and 350Z and must say "very boring to drive them". This is why I rather choose the Boxter which I think is the best among those three (4?). (I would personally never buy a Porsche though, I have never liked the brand.)

With the VX you also get; engine repairs/parts cheap. Your social life will improve since you will become friend with people who you invite into the car (you almost sit in the lap of each other). I guess that if you bring your first date with you in the car it will be successful starting point. (Haven’t tried, I have a wife already) The boot is larger than in a mini, I read. With example TD rims you get a wide range of rubber. Great forum with lots of nice people and information.

Edited by Mozen, 28 March 2012 - 12:23 PM.


#29 davemate

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 03:17 PM

I guess that if you bring your first date with you in the car it will be successful starting point. (Haven’t tried, I have a wife already).



errrr, unless you then do as i have done and say - "be careful as you shut the door, probably best to kick you shoes off first (high heels and getting in a vx (i guess) could lead to a twisted ankle". then putting up with complaining as i had forgotten to put the roof on... on a first date get a taxi FTW.

in my experienence people look at the car, and then expect it to be comfortable inside and like an aston/ferrari... not to get worried when stones hit the underneath, there is a rattle from the dash, you cant breathe towards the windscreen, the passender window rattles, and you keep elbowing them every time you change gear. but, you know what, i still love it. :wub:

#30 ghand

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 04:11 PM

to be honest, you've asked yourself too many questions already.

VXs are cars bought with the heart not the head.

They are uncomfortable, noisy, delicate, stuplidly expensive to repair. The cabin is a great big compromise, the passenger seat is daft, you can never hear the radio, the heater doesn't work, the boot is tiny, they are impractical to work on. General consumables such as tyres are specific to the vx220, hard to get hold of and are dear as result. they have an undesirable vauxhall badge, they have no dealer interest and the few good specialists are located at the four corners of the country.

I can't think why anyone would 'think' they are a good buy.

Some of us though 'felt' they were though.


I think JG did not carry on with the list of bad bits as he did not want to scare you :lol:

He could have done a page full more and then some.

My VX is my only car now as i was not using the others.but it is more of a hobby to me than a mode of transport

looks like you have made your mind up to me,but go in with your eyes open,they are definitely not for everyone.

As above, Its a love or hate car.but i wish i had got one 10 years back.

If not a vx then S2000 for me, I like them a lot.

#31 Delta Deano

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 04:33 PM

Wayne..no sarcasm meant, my weekend drive is a tractor !


Ohhhh! Lol. Sorry mate, I thought you were having a go! :happy:

I think you're right about the VX220. I just wish you weren't because it's bloody difficult finding a decent one... especially with this weather!! :angry2: :)

Hi buddy get yourself down to Oulton park on 13th April there will be 4 or 5 Vx's down there me included we might be able to wangle you a pax ride.

#32 JG

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 07:58 PM


to be honest, you've asked yourself too many questions already.

VXs are cars bought with the heart not the head.

They are uncomfortable, noisy, delicate, stuplidly expensive to repair. The cabin is a great big compromise, the passenger seat is daft, you can never hear the radio, the heater doesn't work, the boot is tiny, they are impractical to work on. General consumables such as tyres are specific to the vx220, hard to get hold of and are dear as result. they have an undesirable vauxhall badge, they have no dealer interest and the few good specialists are located at the four corners of the country.

I can't think why anyone would 'think' they are a good buy.

Some of us though 'felt' they were though.


I think JG did not carry on with the list of bad bits as he did not want to scare you :lol:

He could have done a page full more and then some.



yeah, i could go on. :lol:

frankly its amazing that anyone has managed to sell any, or that anyone is daft enough to buy them.

#33 jonnyboy

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 09:17 PM

Get the Vx and buy a daily driver shed that's got heaters and proper seats etc. I couldn't live with my Vx every day and I love the thing. Makes it more special.

#34 WayneG

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 09:25 PM


Wayne..no sarcasm meant, my weekend drive is a tractor !


Ohhhh! Lol. Sorry mate, I thought you were having a go! :happy:

I think you're right about the VX220. I just wish you weren't because it's bloody difficult finding a decent one... especially with this weather!! :angry2: :)

Hi buddy get yourself down to Oulton park on 13th April there will be 4 or 5 Vx's down there me included we might be able to wangle you a pax ride.


I may be very interested in that! I'm going to oulton for the gt racing and love any excuse to get their, let alone on track :D

Get the Vx and buy a daily driver shed that's got heaters and proper seats etc.
I couldn't live with my Vx every day and I love the thing. Makes it more special.


I have a Toyota iq as my daily car. I love it. It was a financial decision that quickly turned out to be a very surprising car in many ways. I expected to hate it but instead it's the total opposite. All my mates love it now too even though they took the p*ss at first haha.

The vx would suit me 100%, I just know it would. My girlfriend may be a different story but as soon as I can get time, I'm going to find an opportunity for her to sit in one. Normally, as she knows, I'd buy something against her will lol but I don't want arguments when we head down to London etc for what's supposed to be a nice weekend away... Got to consider these things ;)

#35 ghand

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 09:32 PM



to be honest, you've asked yourself too many questions already.

VXs are cars bought with the heart not the head.

They are uncomfortable, noisy, delicate, stuplidly expensive to repair. The cabin is a great big compromise, the passenger seat is daft, you can never hear the radio, the heater doesn't work, the boot is tiny, they are impractical to work on. General consumables such as tyres are specific to the vx220, hard to get hold of and are dear as result. they have an undesirable vauxhall badge, they have no dealer interest and the few good specialists are located at the four corners of the country.

I can't think why anyone would 'think' they are a good buy.

Some of us though 'felt' they were though.


I think JG did not carry on with the list of bad bits as he did not want to scare you :lol:

He could have done a page full more and then some.



yeah, i could go on. :lol:

frankly its amazing that anyone has managed to sell any, or that anyone is daft enough to buy them.


I will tell you why (after a few drinks) every other car I drive no matter what it is feels so fcuking bland

Like just being sat on the sofa at home going through the motions of getting from A to B

I will drive the VX every day thanks.:lol:

#36 Kev S

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 09:42 PM

For me I got the VX because I wanted a Lotus and could not afford a decent one. The VX was not on my radar to be honest, but I bloody love my car now, it's an '02 NA got 85k on the clock and no you could not buy it off me for 6 grand. And I do not regret not getting a Lotus, I p*ss all over them on track! They are a PITA to own at times, but I also own an Italian motorbike same thing there! Got up for a track day at 5.00am once and the thing refused to start, but I still love that bike. Taking it to Wales for a ride out tomorrow just for the hell of it. You will have a love / hate relationship with a VX but when you love it you love it more than your misses! Of course I would also love an Exige and a 911 or really nice Cayman or Boxter, maybe when I win the lottery? I'd keep the VX though, or buy Fab's or Vocky's if they were for sale (which they wouldn't be!)

#37 WayneG

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 10:02 PM

Yeah I completely see where you're all coming from. I've only sat in the one I went to view the other day. The salesman was far from helpful though and as we were getting nowhere on pric, I didn't bother driving it. However, just sitting in the car felt like I was in a race! I loved the way you feel part of the chassis. You aren't sat on it, you're part of it :) Great cars... I just want to find me at the right money now. I put a feeler out at a local high performance garage today so they're going to ask their buyers etc.

#38 ghand

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Posted 28 March 2012 - 10:10 PM

Yeah I completely see where you're all coming from. I've only sat in the one I went to view the other day. The salesman was far from helpful though and as we were getting nowhere on pric, I didn't bother driving it.

However, just sitting in the car felt like I was in a race! I loved the way you feel part of the chassis. You aren't sat on it, you're part of it :)

Great cars... I just want to find me at the right money now. I put a feeler out at a local high performance garage today so they're going to ask their buyers etc.


Mmmm think you may be hooked :lol:

#39 Mozen

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Posted 29 March 2012 - 07:14 AM

errrr, unless you then do as i have done and say - "be careful as you shut the door, probably best to kick you shoes off first (high heels and getting in a vx (i guess) could lead to a twisted ankle". then putting up with complaining as i had forgotten to put the roof on... on a first date get a taxi FTW...


So True... :yeahthat:

#40 Yellow_or_black?

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Posted 29 March 2012 - 09:20 AM

JGs post is spot on. When the need for a car arose, my shopping 'list' was a list of one. At that point, I hadn't even seen a VX in real-life, and knew nothing about them - other than that they were phwoargh, and I wanted one. Does that mean that the Griff Rees-Jones ad had a success rate of at least one? The only thing making you waver, from what I can tell, is the frustration of not finding one - which is a bit odd. IIRC, I searched for 5/6 months. Indeed, I only went to see Vince out of desperation - because I really wanted yellow, and thank God I did :wub: Patience; and be prepared to travel :)




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